12 Authors Like William Kent Krueger You Must Read

In this article, we’ll introduce you to 12 talented authors like William Kent Krueger, each offering the same depth and emotion that keep readers turning pages late into the night.

Get ready to discover new favorites that will captivate your heart and mind.

12 Authors Like William Kent Krueger

1. Louise Penny

Writing Style & Themes: Louise Penny crafts intricate mysteries set in the fictional village of Three Pines, Quebec. 

Her narratives delve into human nature exploring themes of love, loss and redemption, all while maintaining a strong sense of place.

Notable Books/Series:

• Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1)
• A Fatal Grace (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #2)
• The Cruelest Month (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #3)
• A World of Curiosities (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #18)

Why Readers Will Love Her: Louise Penny‘s deeply human characters and evocative storytelling create immersive mysteries that resonate on an emotional level.​

Louise Penny’s Website: https://www.louisepenny.com 

2. C.J. Box

Writing Style & Themes: C.J. Box crafts gripping mysteries set against the expansive landscapes of Wyoming. 

His narratives intertwine environmental themes with complex character-driven plots, echoing Krueger’s deep connection to place and community.

Notable Books/Series:

• Open Season (Joe Pickett #1)
• Winterkill (Joe Pickett #3)
• Blue Heaven (Standalone)
• The Highway (Cassie Dewell #1)

Why Readers Will Love Him: Box’s vivid portrayal of the American West and his morally complex characters resonate with readers who appreciate mysteries rooted in a strong sense of place.

C.J. Box’s Website: https://www.cjbox.net/

3. Steve Hamilton

Writing Style & Themes: Steve Hamilton delivers atmospheric mysteries set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. 

His work features intricate plots and deeply human characters, mirroring Krueger’s talent for blending suspense with emotional depth.

Notable Books/Series:

• A Cold Day in Paradise (Alex McKnight #1)
• The Lock Artist (Standalone)
• Misery Bay (Alex McKnight #8)
• The Second Life of Nick Mason (Nick Mason #1)

Why Readers Will Love Him: Hamilton’s ability to weave suspenseful narratives with richly developed characters offers a reading experience both thrilling and emotionally engaging.

Steve Hamilton’s Website: https://authorstevehamilton.com/

4. James Lee Burke

Writing Style & Themes: James Lee Burke is renowned for his poetic prose and evocative depictions of Louisiana. 

His mysteries delve into moral and social themes, offering a literary depth akin to Krueger’s explorations of human nature.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Neon Rain (Dave Robicheaux #1)
• Black Cherry Blues (Dave Robicheaux #3)
• Cimarron Rose (Billy Bob Holland #1)
• Wayfaring Stranger (Holland Family #1)

Why Readers Will Love Him: Burke’s lyrical writing and profound character studies provide an immersive experience for those who appreciate mysteries with literary flair.

James Lee Burke’s Website: https://www.jamesleeburke.com/

5. Tony Hillerman

Writing Style & Themes: Tony Hillerman masterfully integrates Navajo culture into his atmospheric mysteries set in the American Southwest. 

His work offers cultural depth and intricate plotting, reminiscent of Krueger’s regional storytelling.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Blessing Way (Leaphorn & Chee #1)
• Skinwalkers (Leaphorn & Chee #7)
• A Thief of Time (Leaphorn & Chee #8)
• The Shape Shifter (Leaphorn & Chee #18)

Why Readers Will Love Him: Hillerman’s respectful portrayal of Native American traditions within compelling mysteries provides both enlightenment and entertainment for readers.

Tony Hillerman’s Goodreaads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26917.Tony_Hillerman 

6. Margaret Coel

Writing Style & Themes: Margaret Coel sets her mysteries within Wyoming’s Arapaho community, blending cultural insights with suspenseful storytelling. 

Her focus on social issues and character-driven plots aligns with Krueger’s thematic concerns.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Eagle Catcher (Wind River Reservation #1)
• The Spirit Woman (Wind River Reservation #6)
• The Silent Spirit (Wind River Reservation #14)
• Winter’s Child (Wind River Reservation #20)

Why Readers Will Love Her: Coel’s immersive narratives and authentic depiction of Native American life offer readers both compelling mysteries and cultural exploration.

Margaret Coel’s Website: https://margaretcoel.com/

7. Nevada Barr

Writing Style & Themes: Nevada Barr crafts suspenseful mysteries set within America’s national parks, drawing from her own experiences as a park ranger. 

Her narratives are rich with environmental detail and feature strong complex characters confronting both natural and human threats.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Track of the Cat (Anna Pigeon #1)
• A Superior Death (Anna Pigeon #2)
• Ill Wind (Anna Pigeon #3)
• Firestorm (Anna Pigeon #4)​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Barr’s immersive settings and authentic portrayal of park life offer readers thrilling mysteries intertwined with the beauty and danger of the wilderness.

Nevada Barr’s Website: https://nevadabarr.com/

8. David Housewright

Writing Style & Themes: David Housewright delivers engaging mysteries set in Minnesota, featuring Rushmore “Mac” McKenzie, a former cop turned unlicensed private investigator. 

His stories blend hard-boiled detective elements with regional charm and intricate plotting.​

Notable Books/Series:

• A Hard Ticket Home (Mac McKenzie #1)​
• Tin City (Mac McKenzie #2)​
• Pretty Girl Gone (Mac McKenzie #3)​
• Dead Boyfriends (Mac McKenzie #4)​

Why Readers Will Love Him: Housewright’s witty prose and well-crafted mysteries capture the essence of Minnesota’s landscapes and communities, appealing to fans of regional crime fiction.​

David Housewright’s Website: https://www.davidhousewright.com/

9. Michael Koryta

Writing Style & Themes: Michael Koryta blends supernatural elements with crime fiction, often set against the backdrop of the American Midwest. 

His stories are characterized by atmospheric tension, complex characters and a seamless fusion of mystery and the paranormal.​

Notable Books/Series:

• So Cold the River​
• The Cypress House​
• The Ridge​
• Those Who Wish Me Dead​

Why Readers Will Love Him: Koryta’s ability to intertwine otherworldly elements with gripping crime stories offers a unique and captivating reading experience.​

Michael Koryta’s Website: https://www.michaelkoryta.com/

10. Daniel Woodrell

Writing Style & Themes: Daniel Woodrell’s “country noir” novels are set in the Ozarks, depicting hardscrabble lives with poetic prose and deep emotional resonance. 

His stories explore crime, family and survival in tight-knit rural communities.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Winter’s Bone​
• Tomato Red​
• The Death of Sweet Mister​
• Give Us a Kiss​

Why Readers Will Love Him: Woodrell’s evocative storytelling and authentic portrayal of the Ozarks provide a haunting and immersive reading experience.​

Daniel Woodrell’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/65135.Daniel_Woodrell 

11. Allen Eskens

Writing Style & Themes: Allen Eskens crafts compelling mysteries set in Minnesota, focusing on complex characters and moral dilemmas. 

His narratives often delve into social issues, blending suspense with profound emotional depth.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Life We Bury​
• The Guise of Another​
• The Heavens May Fall​
• The Deep Dark Descending​

Why Readers Will Love Him: Eskens’ thought-provoking plots and richly drawn characters offer readers both suspense and a deep exploration of human nature.​

Allen Eskens’ Website: https://www.alleneskens.com/

12. Tom Franklin

Writing Style & Themes: Tom Franklin’s literary crime fiction is set in the American South, characterized by atmospheric settings, intricate plots and deeply flawed yet compelling characters. 

His stories often explore themes of friendship, betrayal and redemption.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter​
• Hell at the Breech​
• Smonk​
• Poachers (short stories)​

Why Readers Will Love Him: Franklin’s masterful storytelling and rich atmospheric prose provide a deeply immersive and emotionally resonant experience.​

Tom Franklin’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/125736.Tom_Franklin 

Final Word on Authors Like William Kent Krueger

If you’re a fan of William Kent Krueger’s intricate plots and emotionally charged characters, then you’ll enjoy the work of authors like Louise Penny whose Chief Inspector Gamache series brings the quaint village of Three Pines to life, or C.J. Box, whose Joe Pickett mysteries capture the rugged beauty of Wyoming.

These authors, like Krueger, craft stories that transport readers into captivating worlds filled with suspense, heart and unforgettable characters.

So dive into the books of the above authors like William Kent Krueger to discover even more stories that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last.